Kevin Durant was present at the Unrivaled game between the Breeze and the Laces, held at the Sephora Arena in Miami, Florida, where Seattle Storm’s Dominique Malonga delivered an electrifying dunk with under two seconds left in the first quarter. Malonga, a top prospect for the 2025 draft and the second overall pick, received a precise cross-court pass from Paige Bueckers before charging inside the paint to slam the ball emphatically, capturing the attention of Durant and the crowd.
Durant’s Visible Admiration for Malonga’s Play
The moment was highlighted by cameras quickly cutting to a smiling Kevin Durant, visibly impressed by Malonga’s impressive finish. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as fans and commentators alike noted Durant’s enthusiastic response. According to a post on X by ClutchPoints, Durant was clearly loving the play, underscoring the significance of the dunk.
DOMINIQUE MALONGA RUNS IN TRANSITION FOR THE DUNK 😤
Kevin Durant was LOVING it!
pic.twitter.com/t7qVkyk2N1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 28, 2026
Malonga’s Reaction to Kevin Durant’s Presence
Dominique Malonga expressed her excitement after the game, noting the positive interaction with Durant despite not having spoken much during the event. She shared that they briefly talked during a shootout earlier in the day, making Durant’s support feel meaningful. This connection added a special layer to the moment for Malonga, considering Durant recently surpassed 32,000 points in his NBA career, a milestone illustrating his legendary status.
It was great, I mean I didn’t say anything to him but it felt really good. He went to shootout this morning so we chatted a little bit, so I am glad you could see that,
she explained post-game per a clip on YouTube by BRWSports.
Laces’ Dominant Victory Over the Breeze
Despite Malonga’s standout performance with 21 points and 10 rebounds, her team, the Breeze, fell to the Laces in a surprising 65-53 defeat. The Laces established control early, opening with a 24-18 lead in the first quarter and maintaining momentum throughout. Brittney Sykes led the Laces with a commanding two-way effort, recording a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds while shooting efficiently at 10-for-18 from the field.
Contributions also came from Jordin Canada and Jackie Young, each adding 13 points to strengthen the Laces’ offense. Cameron Brink added 11 points and eight rebounds for the Breeze, but their overall low shooting percentages—17.6% from three-point range and 32.9% from the field—hampered their chances. Paige Bueckers had a tough night, contributing only two points on 1-for-8 shooting and recording a -6 plus-minus rating.
Implications of the Game and What to Expect Next
This win gives the Laces a 2-0 advantage in the ongoing series, reflecting their ability to execute a disciplined game plan against a talented Breeze squad. The confidence shown by stars like Brittney Sykes and the consistent scoring from Canada and Young suggest the Laces could sustain their momentum in upcoming games. Meanwhile, Malonga’s performance and the recognition from a NBA icon like Kevin Durant hint at her growing influence in the sport as she continues to develop her professional career.
DOMINIQUE MALONGA RUNS IN TRANSITION FOR THE DUNK 😤
Kevin Durant was LOVING it!
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 28, 2026
